Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Three-and-a-half-year-old Monduli is a regular sight at the Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate in Tanzania

When this unlikely guest took a dip in a club house swimming pool, he had no trouble keeping his head above the water... which is not surprising since he's a giraffe.

In fact, three-and-a-half-year-old Monduli is a regular sight at the Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate in Tanzania

The leggy swimmer is the only giraffe at the estate after being rescued as a baby by the anti-poaching unit of the Wildlife Department of the Tanzanian Government.The leggy swimmer was rescued as a baby by the anti-poaching unit of the Wildlife Department

Would sir like a tall latte at the table? Monduli is well over 13ft tall (4m) and will reach 18ft when fully grown at around six years old

Zummi Cardoso, general manager at the estate, said Monduli was quite lonely as the only member of his species there

Workers at the estate said Monduli thinks he's a cross between a guest and a horse and is often up to mischief trying to play football, polo and taking a dip in the pool.

Monduli is well over 13ft tall (4m) and will reach 18ft when fully grown at around six years old.

Zummi Cardoso, general manager at the estate, said Monduli was quite lonely as the only member of his species there.

He said: 'He has been with us for about three years and we bottle and bucket-fed him milk for more than a year.

No ladder for him... Monduli gracefully leaps out of the pool after his dip

On bended knees, the giraffe does a spot of stretching after his exercise

'He is accompanied by lots of zebra, wildebeest and gazelles but he thinks he is a human being, hence the dip in the pool.

'Monduli sometimes joins in football games at the polo club and regularly scares visiting polo ponies. He loves to take part in any activities at the club and even if he's not welcome he cannot be easily dissuaded.'

Zummi said as well as being a lively character around the estate, Monduli also acted as a gardener.

Monduli investigates some of the vegetation but what's this behind him...?

A car! Zummi said: 'Monduli's also a bit of a pervert when it comes to cars. One or two seem to get his attention and he has attempted to mount those chosen ones'

Never mind the food, this giraffe has probably got his eyes on that pick-up in the background

He said: 'He regularly trims all the plants around the club when he has had enough of the ample acacias we have on the estate.

'He's also a bit of a pervert when it comes to cars. One or two seem to get his attention and he has attempted to mount those chosen ones.

'He got his leg caught between the bumper of our pick-up and dragged it for more than a metre to get dislodged.'

The Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate is located near the town of Usa River, approximately 30 minutes' drive from both Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport.

The estate provides spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru to the north and over the vastness of the Maasai Steppe to the south.

As well as being a lively character around the estate, Monduli also acts as a gardener. He's seen here with one of his friends

The estate provides spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru to the north and over the vastness of the Maasai Steppe to the south